By Chris Kain
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A federal judge today set a January 2026 date for the bribery trial of Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White Sr. — a delay from earlier expectations that a trial might take place next summer.

Separate from the criminal proceedings, the DC Council is poised to consider whether White — who recently won re-election to a new four-year term — violated council and DC ethics rules.

An ad hoc committee of councilmembers is expected to issue a report in December based on the results of an outside investigation and to make a recommendation on White’s possible censure, reprimand or expulsion. A vote of the full council has been discussed for January.

In comments after last week’s general election and again after today’s court appearance, White has urged councilmembers not to remove him from office, saying doing so would disrespect the will of the people. He has also vowed to “fight the government in court” after pleading not guilty and rejecting a plea bargain.

“I am entitled to due process like everyone else. I’m a citizen of the United States of America,” he said today, per media reports. He added, “Twenty thousand people voted for me last week.”

White won the Democratic primary in June, prior to his arrest by the FBI in August and arraignment in September. He faced a Republican challenger as well as several announced write-in candidates in the general election, prevailing with 75.85% of the vote per the DC Board of Elections’ latest count.

— ‘Trayon White won’t face trial on his bribery charges until at least 2026. What will the council do?’ City Paper’s Alex Koma: “Bad news for the D.C. Council: The odds may be stacked against him, but Trayon White isn’t going quietly.

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